About Hay Fever

About 40 million Americans suffer from “hay fever,” a disease that allergists prefer to call “allergic rhinitis,” because HAY is not to blame and FEVER is rarely a symptom. This seasonal allergic rhinitis is commonly known as 'hay fever', because it is most prevalent during haying season It is particularly prevalent from late May to the end of June (in the Northern Hemisphere). However it is possible to suffer from hay fever throughout the year.

• "Allergy shots" (Hyposensibilization, immunotherapy) are occasionally recommended if the allergen cannot be avoided and if symptoms are hard to control. This includes regular injections of the allergen, given in increasing doses (each dose is slightly larger than the previous dose) that may help the body adjust to the antigen. These tend to be offered as a last resort as the therapy is more expensive at first, although patients may save money on medications and doctor visits in the long run. They may also increase the risk of triggering a secondary allergic reaction such as an asthma attack.
• Fast-acting strong antihistamines such as drugs including chlorphenamine, which relieve the symptoms after a hayfever "attack".
• Short-acting antihistamines, which are generally over-the-counter (non-prescription), often relieve mild to moderate symptoms, but can cause drowsiness. One formerly prescription medication, loratadine (Claritin®), is now available over the counter in many countries. It does not tend to cause drowsiness or affect learning in children. Azelastine (Astelin®) is the only antihistamine available as a nasal spray. A pediatrician should be consulted before using these medicines in children, as they may affect learning.
• Longer-acting antihistamines cause less drowsiness, can be equally effective, and usually do not interfere with learning. These medications include fexofenadine (Allegra®), and cetirizine (Zyrtec®).
• New leukotriene receptor antagonists, such as montelukast (Singulair®) and zafirlukast (Accolate®) have proven very effective in dealing with allergic rhinitis, without the common side-effects of the first-generation antihistamines, such as drowsiness. These medicines are also long-acting, and are recommended to be taken once-daily.
• Corticosteroid nasal sprays are effective and safe, and may be effective without oral antihistamines. These medications include fluticasone (Flonase®, Flixonase®), budesonide (Rhinocort®), flunisolide (Syntaris®), mometasone (Nasonex®), triamcinolone (Nasacort AQ®) and beclomethasone (Beconase®).
• Cromolyn sodium (or cromoglycate) is a drug that stabilizes mast cells and prevents their degranulation and subsequent release of histamine. It is available as a nasal spray (Nasalcrom) for treating hay fever. Eye drop versions of cromolyn sodium (Crolom) are available for allergic conjunctivitis.
• Topical decongestants may also be helpful in reducing symptoms such as nasal congestion, but should not be used for long periods as stopping them after protracted use can lead to a rebound nasal congestion (Rhinitis medicamentosa).

• Quercetin is an increasingly popular treatment for hay fever even though only limited preliminary clinical research has suggested that it is beneficial to hay fever sufferers.
• The oral administration of a thymus extract known as Thymomodulinr has been shown in preliminary studies and double-blind trials to improve the symptoms of hay fever and allergic rhinitis. Presumably this clinical improvement is the result of restoration of proper control over immune function.
• The Japanese herbal formula known as sho-seiryu-to has been shown to reduce symptom, such as sneezing, for people with hay fever. Sho-seiryu-to contains licorice, cassia bark, schisandra, ma huang, ginger, peony root, pinellia, and asiasarum root.
• Tylophora is an herb used by Ayurvedic doctors in India to treat people with allergies. It contains compounds that have been reported to interfere with the action of mast cells, which are key components in the process of inflammation responsible for most hay fever symptoms. Mast cells are found in airways of the lungs (among other parts of the body). When mast cells are activated by pollen or other allergens, they release the chemical histamine, which in turn leads to a wide number of symptoms familiar to hay fever sufferers-itchy eyes, runny nose, and chest tightness. Ayurvedic doctors sometimes recommend 200-400 mg of the dried herb daily or 1-2 ml of the tincture per day for up to two weeks.
• Despite the lack of adequate scientific support, some doctors suggest taking 450 mg of nettle leaf capsules or tablets two to three times per day, or a 2-4 ml tincture three times per day for people suffering from hay fever.
• Ephedra sinica (ma huang) is an herbal remedy for hay fever in traditional Chinese medicine. The popular nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine is an active constituent of ma huang. It is has largely replaced the use of the herb in modern medicine.

Homeopathy

It has been claimed that homeopathy provides relief free of side effects. However, this is strongly disputed by the medical profession on the grounds that there is no valid evidence to support this claim. Meta-analyses provide no clear evidence for the efficacy of homeopathy in rhinitis (or asthma). However, for those that believes in the approach, the following list of suggested medication may prove helpful:

• Allium cepa: Indications for this remedy include watery eyes and a clear nasal discharge that irritates the upper lip, along with sneezing and a tickling cough. The person usually is thirsty, and feels worse indoors and when rooms are warm, and better in fresh air.
• Arsenicum album: A burning, watery, runny nose with a stuffy, tickling feeling during allergy attacks suggests a need for this remedy. Swelling below the eyes and a wheezy cough are common. The person may feel chilly, restless, anxious, and is often very tired.
• Arundo mauritanica. This remedy is used for symptoms of hay fever.
• Euphrasia: This remedy can be helpful if the eyes are swollen and irritated with acrid tears or pus. The nose also runs, but with a blander discharge. Symptoms are often worse in the daytime and worse from warmth, and the eyes may hurt from too much light. The person can also have a cough in the daytime, which improves at night.
• Ferrum phosphoricum: This is a very useful remedy in the early stages of any inflammation. Taken when allergy symptoms start, it often slows or stops an episode. Symptoms include runny eyes with a burning or gritty feeling, facial flushing, watery nose, and short, hard, tickling cough.
• Galphimia glauca: The plant Galphimia glauca is a homeopathic remedy that is used to ameliorate the symptoms of acute pollinosis.
• Gelsemium: A tired, droopy feeling during allergies with a flushed and heavy-feeling face suggests a need for this remedy. A sensation of dryness or of swollen membranes may be felt inside the nose—or the nose may run with irritating watery discharge, with the person sneezing frequently. Aching in the back of the head and neck, a trembling feeling, and chills along the spine are often seen when a person needs Gelsemium.
• Luffa Operculata: Commonly used to treat symptoms of asthma, Migraine Headache, Rhinitis, Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever, Sinusitis / Sinus Infection.
• Natrum muriaticum: Allergy attacks with sneezing, watery eyes, clear nasal discharge that resembles egg white, and a loss of taste and smell will all suggest a need for this remedy. The person may have dark circles under the eyes, be thirsty, feel withdrawn and sad, and act irritable if comforted.
• Nux vomica: If the nose is alternately stuffed up (especially outdoors or at night) and running (indoors and in the daytime), this remedy may bring relief. Other symptoms include a teasing cough, a scraped or tickly feeling in the throat, and headache. A person who needs this remedy often feels impatient, irritable, and chilly.
• Sabadilla: Long paroxysms of sneezing, itching in the nose with irritating runny discharge, a feeling of a lump in the throat, and watery eyes will all suggest a need for this remedy. The person may feel nervous during allergy attacks, and trying to concentrate can bring on drowsiness or headache.
• Wyethia: Intolerable itching felt on the roof of the mouth and behind the nose—sometimes extending into the throat and ears—strongly suggests the use of this remedy. Everything in the person’s head feels dry and irritated, but the nose may still be runny.